DOCUMENT:Q104042  22-JUL-2001  [visualc]
TITLE   :PRB: Unable to Write to the Windows NT Registry
PRODUCT :Microsoft C Compiler
PROD/VER:1.0 2.0 2.1 4.0 4.1
OPER/SYS:
KEYWORDS:kbsetup

======================================================================

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Visual C++, versions 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 4.0, 4.1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

Windows NT sets up each Windows NT user with a different environment. When you
install Visual C++ 32-bit Edition, Visual C++ installs for that particular user.
If the user changes his or her group membership (privileges), then the Registry
Key will not work accordingly with Visual C++. The following two messages may
appear if this happens when starting Visual Workbench:

 - Message 1:

   

   The options Registry Key 'Visual C++' is missing. A new Registry
   Key will be created using the default settings."

   Press OK to continue.

 - Message 2:

   

   Unable to write to the NT Registry. Option settings will not be
   saved.

   Press OK to continue.

After these messages, Visual C++ starts running. However, when you exit you
receive the second message again.

CAUSE
=====

Each Windows NT user has a different user profile and privilege level. Each user
may not have access to the same Registry Key information as the person who
installed Visual C++. Changing the privilege level of the person who installed
Visual C++ causes this problem.

RESOLUTION
==========

Check with the Windows NT administrator for the machine to correctly perform the
following steps to rebuild the Registry Key for that particular Visual C++
user.

1. Log in as Administrator and give the user of Visual C++ administrative
   privileges to delete the Visual C++ entry, with the Registry Editor
   (REGEDT32.EXE) located in the \WINNT\SYSTEM32 directory. The Visual C++ entry
   is under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft, Visual C++. Be sure not
   to delete any entries other than Visual C++.

2. Remove the administrative privileges for the Visual C++ user.

3. Log in as the user and start Visual C++ again; this time you will only
   receive the first message above and a new Registry entry will be created.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbsetup 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbVC400 kbAudDeveloper kbvc100 kbVC410 kbVC200 kbVC210
Version           : 1.0 2.0 2.1 4.0 4.1
Issue type        : kbprb

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  IN NO
EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION
OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.